Jahan Dotson was a 4-star recruit coming out of Nazareth Area High School. According to 247sports, he ranked as the No. 192 recruit in the nation, No. 36 receiver, and No. 6 recruit in Pennsylvania. He was a three-time letterman and senior captain. Earned a first-team spot on USA Today’s All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team as a senior. Dotson was a three-sport athlete: basketball, football, and track & field. Averaged 16 points and 4 assists as a sophomore. Won the state championships in the 4×100 relay and the long jump in 2016. He won the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference crown in the 100 and 200 meters, as well as the 4×100 relay in 2018.

His speed and big-play ability are evident. He is a crafty route-runner that creates natural separation with good route pacing, speed, and leverage. Dotson offers alignment versatility and flexibility for an offense.

Ideal Role: Perimeter/Boundary receiver

Scheme Fit: Spread offense, vertical passing attack

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Damian Parson

Games watched: Ohio State (2020), Michigan (2020), Wisconsin (2021), Michigan (2021), Ohio State (2021), Maryland (2021)

Best Game Studied: Ohio State (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Michigan (2020)

Route Running: Dotson is a crafty and nuanced route-runner. He executes his routes with good suddenness and explosiveness. Every route is a mirror image of its counterpart. Dotson sells routes with his entire frame. His double moves are run with precision and patience to force the defender to commit.

Hands: Dotson rarely drops passes. He has been charted with only two this season. He is a well-rounded pass-catcher that reels in passes with his body and away from his frame. His strong grip is evident when he attacks the ball in the air. He has a highlight reel of incredible handsy receptions.

Separation: See Above.

Release Package: See Above.

Run After Catch: He does not pose the same physical threat as his bigger receiving counterparts. He has some elusiveness in tight quarters to force missed tackles for extra yardage. His burst and speed put stress on defenders to bring him down before he gears up and pulls away. There is potential as a run after catch threat off his slippery ability to evade defenders.

Ball Skills: Dotson is fearless with the ball in flight. He attacks it with arrogance and confidence at its highest point. He has a great feel for his surroundings and opponents’ leverage. He does a great job patiently tracking the football’s airborne path before elevating. The combination of his leaping ability and great hands provides confidence in his transition to the league.

Football IQ: Dotson is an intelligent route-runner that knows when to attack the leverage of the defense. He has 58 receptions for first downs this season, showcasing his knowledge of down, distance, and the required route depth to convert. He does a nice job detaching from coverage and making himself available for his quarterback when he is pressured. Post-snap recognition to find and sit in the soft spots of the defense’s zone coverage.

Versatility: See Above.

Competitive Toughness: Dotson is a competitive and willing blocker in the running game. Against physical corners, he will fight through contact to make himself available to his quarterback. Ultra competitive in contested-catch situations—12 contested targets with five receptions.

Big Play Ability: Dotson can strike a defense for big gains. His vertical speed is enough to take the top off the defense. Whether on a deep route or converting a short pass, Dotson is capable of generating explosive plays.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 84.83/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 85.00/100

Marino Grade: 84.00/100

Harris Grade: 84.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 87.00/100

Weissman Grade: 85.00/100

Parson Grade: 84.00/100